(rated PG-13, 130 mins.)
Based on the 1902 Mason Novel “The Four Feathers” (one of many versions, this one the most spectacular to date) is shot in a Morrocan dessert. The battles are on the scale of “Lawrence of Arabia” but for an epic, have you ever heard a critic say “it’s just not long enough?” We’re left with a feeling of ambivalence. This sort of retro epic stars Heath Ledger as Harry Feversham all courageous, dirty, sexy and rolling around in the dirt. When it appears he’s abandoned his commission, three fellow officers send him three white feathers, which is the symbol of a coward. He then receives a fourth from Ethne (Kate Hudson), his love interest, caught in the middle of the love triangle and left at home waiting (think “Legends Of The Fall” revisited). His only supporter is his best pal Jack (Wes Bentley). Harry seems determined to prove himself as Britain sends in troops to fight the Madhi in Sudan in 1875, an event that is director Shekar Khapur’s follow up to “Elizabeth.” The weird thing is audiences will think they are sitting through an Afghanistan battle of America chasing Al-Qaeda. And, since enough time has run by since September 11th, it’s possible the patriotism may ring true enough to win Ledger’s redeeming performance in Africa an Oscar.
Based on the 1902 Mason Novel “The Four Feathers” (one of many versions, this one the most spectacular to date) is shot in a Morrocan dessert. The battles are on the scale of “Lawrence of Arabia” but for an epic, have you ever heard a critic say “it’s just not long enough?” We’re left with a feeling of ambivalence. This sort of retro epic stars Heath Ledger as Harry Feversham all courageous, dirty, sexy and rolling around in the dirt. When it appears he’s abandoned his commission, three fellow officers send him three white feathers, which is the symbol of a coward. He then receives a fourth from Ethne (Kate Hudson), his love interest, caught in the middle of the love triangle and left at home waiting (think “Legends Of The Fall” revisited). His only supporter is his best pal Jack (Wes Bentley). Harry seems determined to prove himself as Britain sends in troops to fight the Madhi in Sudan in 1875, an event that is director Shekar Khapur’s follow up to “Elizabeth.” The weird thing is audiences will think they are sitting through an Afghanistan battle of America chasing Al-Qaeda. And, since enough time has run by since September 11th, it’s possible the patriotism may ring true enough to win Ledger’s redeeming performance in Africa an Oscar.